Da Sostanza: revisited (Florence)

October 2010

Via della Porcellana, 25, 50123 Florence, Italy

Tel: +39 55 212691

This is our second review of this restaurant (see earlier review: Da Sostanza May 09).

Da Sostanza remains one of our favourite restaurants in Italy. We have eaten here four times over the past 3 years and have loved it each and every time. We did not intend to go to Florence on this trip as our initial itinerary was to go as far south as Bologna only. However, finding a bit of time on our third day in Bologna, we decided that we had to brave the heavy rains and bad traffic and make the two-and-a-half hour drive into the heart of Florence to eat here again. 

This time around, we had the presence of mind to take a photo of the bistecca alla fiorentina (Florence steak) before we ate it (which was the mistake we made last year). After a long car drive, this juicy and fatty piece of beef on the bone was reward in itself.

The pollo con burro (butter chicken) did not look any more healthy than the steak but tasted as good as we remembered it. This time though, the french beans were out of season and we ordered instead the spinach, which was really good.

Then the heavenly meringue which we have been dreaming about for more than a year (since our last trip), though in fairness it did not taste nearly as good as it did last year. We suspect it was because it was more cream than meringue this time round. Nonetheless, we still loved it.

Food: Makes us keep coming back. When in Italy, we will take a detour to make sure we eat here

Wines: Their table wine served in a carafe is good enough for their food

Ambience: Always full of tourists but somehow there are always local Italian diners as well. Be prepared to share tables during peak hours

Service: It's a trattoria, service is less relevant so long as you get your food promptly. No complaints this time though.

Camera: Nikon D90 Nikkor VR2 18-200mm